Soot cleaneb



April 28, 1931. F. w. LINAKER 1,802,821

SOOT CLEANER FOR BOILERS Filed Dec. 25, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR By Attorneys,

April 28, 1931. F. w. LINAKER 1,8025321 500T CLEANER FOR BOILERS I Filed Dec. 23, 1926 2 sheets-Shasta Fig4.

Patented Apr. 28, 1931 UNITED STATES Parsar oFFicE SOOT CLEANER FOR BOILERS This invention relates to soot cleaners for boilers and is directed particularly to that type of soot cleaner in which there is a cleaner element in the form of a pipe which is adapted to be turned or oscillated about its own axis, whereby to discharge jets of steam or other cleaning fluid against the boiler tubes through orifices formed in the pipe.

In soot cleaners of this type, a valve is usually provided which normally is closed to prevent passage of steam to the cleaner and which is automatically opened when the cleaner is rotated or oscillated away from its inactive position during the operation of cleaning the tubes. Various mechanisms have been provided for this purpose by which when the cleaner element is rotated, its motion is communicated through connecting mechanism to the valve so as to open the latter. such mechanism restoring the valve to its closed position when the element is moved back to its initial or inactive position. Such devices customarily utilize moving parts such as caming or tripping mechanisms which it is desirable to avoid.

According to the present invention I provide a device in which all interconnecting mechanism is eliminated, there being no moving parts with the exception of the cleaner element itself, and in the preferred forms of the invention I utilize a valve which is substantially plate-like in form so that it is seated by a lateral movement and when seated the pressure of the steam behind it is availed of to assist in maintaining it in leaktight condition.

To these ends in the preferred form of the invention I provide a structure in which the A valve is held in a stationary position and the valve seat is carried by the cleaner element and is adapted to remain open in all positions except that in which it coincides with the stationary valve. The valve while held 7 stationary against angular movements is preferably spring-mounted and is so arranged that its rear side is open to the pressure of the steam, so that it is self-compensating and self-adjusting. The invention includes other features of improvement which will hereinafter be more fully described.

Application filed December 23, 1926. Serial No. 156,648.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate several forms of the invention,

Figure 1 is a vertical section, partly in elevation, of the preferred form of the device, %he sgction being taken on the line 11 in Fig. 2 is an elevation with the cover plate and valves removed.

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3.3 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section, partly in elevation, of a modified form of the device.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 in Fig. 4.

Fig. .6 is a section on the line 66 in Fig. 4, the cleaner element being shown in a different position from that shown in Fig. 4.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 3, let A indicate the cleaner element which is in the form of a pipe extending through a bushing B, passing through the boiler wall, and thence into the tube chamber of the'boiler where it is provided with aseries of orifices designed to project jets of steam over the tube surfaces in the ordinary way. The

cleaner element A may be made in several sections if desired, and may be provided with any suitable means for rotating it such as the usual sprocket wheel C, designed to be operated by a suitable endless chain, not shown. The cleaner element may be rotated by a step by step movement, if desired, any of the well-known means for accomplishing this result being adopted. Ordinarily the cleaner element will be oscillated through an r are usually approximating 180 or less, be ing returned at each complete oscillation to its initial position of rest. In such initial position means are usually employed to shut ofi' the steam or other cleaning fluid from the cleaner element.

D is a head having within it a steam chamber E which may be supplied with steam from the steam dome of the boiler through a pipe F. The head is open at one side and is designed to be closed by a cap G held in place by suitable bolts H. On the opposite side the head is provided with apassage through which extends the end of the cleaner element A, a stuffing box I being provided to the movements of the element itself act to.

open and close the port or ports through which steam is admitted to the element. By this means I avoid the use of any independently oscillating parts as well as any tripping or other similar mechanism. This greatly simplifies the operation of the device and avoids the deterioration of movable parts, such as is apt to occur, particularly when the parts are subjected to the continued action of excessively hot steam.

In carrying the present invention into effect I prefer to form the end of the cleaner element A with a chambered enlargement 5 which is best formed as a hollow disk-like structure screwed on the end of the element and keyed thereto by a pin K. The dis-itlike enlargement J is formed with a chamber Land its face is perforated at M to constitute a valve opening in which a separate valve seat N is arranged, the seat being preferably threaded into the opening. Opposite the valve seat N (when the cleaner element is in its initial position) I arrange a valve 0 which is stationary in the sense that it is not capable of angular movement with reference to the axis of the cleaner. Preferably the valve 0 is carried by the cover plate G and is formed with a hollow stem P which entersa recess in the cover. The valve is best provided with a spring Q which urges it toward the seat N, a flanged cup R- receiving one end of the spring and the cup and valve being prevented from a complete separation by a locking ring S. 7

It follows from this construction that when the cleaner element is rotated out of its initial or inactive position steam will flow from the steam chamber E in through the valve seat and chamber L to the cleaner element, so that the latter will receive steam during any movement of the cleaner element which is desired, the valve remaining open until the element is brought back to its initial position. During the time when the valve is open, it is preferably being urged forwardly by its spring and means are provided for guiding it or holding it in place during such open condition so that it may easily seat at the inactive position of the cleaner. Preferably this is accomplished by forming the member J with a flat face shown best at T T in Fig. 2, this face being in the same plane with a valve seat or substantially so, whereby the valve is guided easily back to its seat during the closing movement. The valve is held in closing position mainly by the pressure of steam within the chamber E.

The device as thus described may be availed of if desired, but I prefer to add to the described construction means whereby the cleaner element may be given its full supply of steam in a much shorter arc of rotation than is possible with the device as described, whereby the steam may be cut off with a much shorter movement of the cleaner element. This enables the element to arrive at'fully operative position preferably while describing an arc of about 40 from its initial position and on the return stroke enables it to change from operative to inoperative position during the same angular movement.

I accomplish this result in the preferred form of the invention by the use of an additional valve 0 and valve seat N. Each of these valves has a capacity which is equal to the full requirement of the cleaner element, so that when both valves are half open, the element will receive its full supply of steam. The are of opening is hence reduced to about half of the are required where a single opening is used. So also both valves may be half closed before the supply of steam is reduced below that normally required, and from this point to full closure position the element-may describe an are only half that which would be necessary in the case of a single opening.

The two valves may be placed in diametrically opposite positions but this would result in the complete closure of the valve twice in each rotation of the cleaner element with a partially closed condition on each side. This would result in cutting down the arc of complete opening belowl80 which is required in many installations. Therefore, in the dis position of the valves I prefer to adopt an arrangement which is not symmetrical, that shown in the drawings being found to be satisfactory. In the arrangement illustrated the valve openings are disposed approximately 135? apart in one direction and 225 in the opposite direction, the measurement in each case being taken from the center. of the valve opening. lVhen so arranged the open area of one of the valves or the sum of the areas of both of the valves is suflicient to supply the full quantity of steam throughout an angular movementv of the cleaner element of 320 which is equal to or in excess of that provided by the best types of devices employing internal or external mechanism for opening and closing the valve, and is ample to accommodate the cleaner to any situation in which an oscillating cleaner element is employed.

In Fig. 3 I have illustrated one position of cleaner in which theva-lve seat. N has passed fully beyond the valve 0 and the valve seat N is beginning to be covered by the valve 0. The valve seat N will now remain fully open for a considerable arc and before it has become half closed by the valve 0, the valve seat N will have passed suiiiciently beyond the valve 0 to have reached a point where this valve seat is half open. hen the valve seat N becomes closed by the valve 0, the valve seat ll will have passed beyond the valve 0 and have become fully open.

In order to avoid imposing the full steam pressure on the valves when not in closed position I prefer to arrange grooves in the face of the disk member J as shown at U, these grooves permit-ting the passage of steam to the faces of the valves when the latter are out of alinement with the seats. It is not necessary that the chamber L shall be circular in form. It is suificient if the chamber is of a shape which is defined by the double dotted line V in Fig. 2.

In Figs. a to 6 I have illustrated a construction in which. the valve openings IV IV are arranged in the periphery of a cylindrical chamber X which is screwed on the end of the cleaner element A. The valves Y Y are elongated in form and curved on their inner faces to it such cylindrical periphery. They are contained in recesses formed in the head D and are made self-adjusting by springs Z Z. Steam grooves U extending part way around the wall of the chamber X are provided for balancing the pressure on the valves during the times when they are out of alinement with the valve openings. In this construction I have shown a disposition of the valves and the seats which will accomplish the same results as that illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3. That is to say, I have provided two valves so as to insure quick opening and closing, but in this construe ion it is not necessary to arrange the valves unsymmetrically, since the latter are placed in dii'lerent planes which prevents the closing of each valve opening except by its companion valve. Therefore, the cleaner is capable of an angular movement of approxi mately 320 while receiving its full supply of steam. Fig. 5 shows the position of the parts when the valves are closed and Fig. 6 one position when the valves are open.

lVhile I have shown and described several forms of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein without ceparting from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is 1. In a boiler soot cleaner, a cleaner ele: ment, the inner end of which is adapted to extend within the boiler, and the outer end of which is provided with a plurality of valve openings so disposed with relation to the ele ment as to travel in a circular path when the cleaner element is moved, a chamber within MLJ.

which said outer end of the cleaner moves, means for connecting said chamber with a sourceiof cleaning fluid, and a plurality of valves" each formed independently of said chamber, said valves being mounted in said chamber, the valve openings and valves being so disposed that all of said openings are closed only at one point in a'complete circular movement of said cleaner.

2.111 a boiler soot cleaner, a cleaner element, the inner end of which is adapted to extend within a boiler, and the outer end of which is provided with a plurality of angularly spaced valve openings arranged eccentrically to the axis of said cleaner, means for rotating said cleaner, a plurality of separate valves, one-for each of said openings, and a chamber for housing the outer end of said cleaner in which said valves are mounted.

3. In a boiler soot cleaner, a cleaner element, the inner end of which is adapted to extend within a boiler, and'the outer end of which is provided with a plurality ofangularly spaced valve openings arranged eccentrically to the axis of said cleaner, means for rotating said cleaner, a plurality of separate valves, one for each of said openings, a chamber for housing the outer end of said cleaner in which said valves are mounted, and means for substantially preventing angular movement of said valves.

4. In a boiler soot cleaner, a cleaner element, the inner end of which is adapted to extend within the boiler and the outer end of which is provided with a valve opening, said cleaner element being rotatable about its axis and said valve opening being disposed so that its axis substantially parallels the axis of the cleaner element, and a valve mounted to be pressed against its seat by the cleaning fluid substantially fixed against angular movement around the axis of said cleaner element, the valve and valve opening being adapted to be broughtinto coincidence by the movement of the cleaner. element. 1

5. In a boiler soot cleaner, a cleaner element, the inner end of which is adapted to extend within the boiler and the outer end of which is provided with an enlargement, a chamber for the cleaning fluid surrounding said enlargement, means for connecting said chamber with a supply of cleaning fluid, said enlargement being provided with a wall extendingin a plane substantially at right angles to the axis'of the cleaner element and having an eccentrically arranged valve opening in said wall, a valve formed independently of said chamber and mounted in said chamber and substantially fixed against angular movement around the axis of said cleaner element, and means for rotating the cleaner element to bring said valve opening into and out of coincidence with said valve.

6.111 a boiler soot cleaner, a cleaner element, the inner end of which is adapted to extend within the boiler and the outer end of which is provided with an enlargement, a chamber for the cleaning fluid surrounding said enlargement, means for connecting said chamber with a supply of cleaning fluid, said enlargement being provided with a wall extending in a plane substantially at right angles to the axis of the cleaner element and having an eccentrically arranged valve opening in said wall, a valve formed independently of said chamber and mounted in said chamber and substantially fixed against angular movement around the axis of said cleaner element, and means for rotating the cleaner element to bring said valve opening into and out of coincidence with said valve, and means for guiding said valve into and out of alinement with said openin 7. In a boiler soot cleaner, a cleaner element, the inner end of which is adapted to extend within the boiler and the outer end of which is provided with an enlargement, a chamber for the cleanin fluid surrounding said enlargement, means for connecting said chamber with a supply of cleaning fluid, said enlargement being provided with a wall extending in a plane substantially at right angles to the axis of the cleaner element and having two valve openings in said wall, and two valves independently mounted within said chamber and each being substantially fixed against angular movement around the axis of said cleaner element, and means for moving the cleaner element to bring said valves into coincidence with said openings.

8. In a boilersoot cleaner, a cleaner element, the inner end of which is adapted to extend within the boiler andthe outer end of which is provided with an enlargement, a chamber for the cleaning fluid surrounding said enlargement, means for connecting said chamber with a supply of cleaning fluid, said enlargement being provided with a wall extending in a plane substantially at right angles to the axis of the cleaner element and having two valve openings, and two valves independently mounted within said chamber and each being substantially fixed against angular movement around the axis of said cleaner element, and means for moving the cleaner element to bring said valves into coincidence with said openings, and said valve openings and valves being so disposed that both said openings are closed at one point only in a complete movement of said cleaner element.

9. In a boiler soot cleaner, a cleaner element, the inner end of which is adapted to extend within the boiler and the outer end of which is provided with an enlargement, a chamber for the cleaning fluid surrounding said enlargement, means for connecting'said chamber with a supply of cleaning fluid, said enlargement being provided with a wall extending in a plane substantially at right angles to the axis of the cleaner element and having two valve openings, and two valves independently mounted within said chamber and each being substantially fixed against angular movement. around the axis of said cleaner elementand means for moving-the clcanerelement to bring said valves into coincidence with said openings, and said valve openings and valves being so disposed that their axes are in one direction less than 180 apart. I

10. In a boiler soot cleaner, a cleaner element, the inner end of which is adapted to extend within the boiler and the outer end of which is provided with an enlargement having an eccentric opening in its end wall, a cleaner head surrounding said enlargement and having a cover and a valve carried by said cover, said valve closing said opening when the latter is brought into coincidence therewith by the rotative movement of said enlargement.

11. In a boiler soot cleaner, a fluid supply conduit, a cleaner element, the inner end of which is adapted to extend within the boiler and the outer end of which is provided with a disk-like enlargement, said enlargement having a substantially flat surface extending at right angles to the axis of the cleaner element, and having a valve opening in said flat surface eccentrically arranged with reference to the axis of the cleaner element, means for rotating the cleaner element, a valve substantially fixed against angular movement around the axis of said cleaner element and adapted to ride on said surface when out of coincidence with said valve opening and adapted to close the latter when in such coincidence, said valve formed separately from the fluid supply conduit, and adapted to close with the fluid pressure.

12. In a boiler soot cleaner, a cleaner element, the inner end of which is adapted to extend within the boiler and the outer end of which is provided with a disk-like enlargement, said enlargement having a substantially flat surface extending at right angles to the axis of the cleaner element, and having a valve opening in said fiat surface, means for rotating the cleaner element, a valve substantially fixed against angular movement around the axis of said cleaner element and adapted to ride on said surface when out of coincidence with said valve opening and adapted to close the latter when in such coincidence, a second valve opening also eccentric to the axis of the cleaner, said second valve being similarly mounted, said valves and openings being disposed so that in one direction they are less than 180 apart.

13. In a boiler soot cleaner, a cleaner element rotatable upon its own axis and having its inner end adapted to extend within the boiler, a steam chamber into which the outer end extends, a plurality of valves formed separately from the steam chamber and angularly spaced seats for said valves, said valves and seats controlling the passage of steam to said cleaner element, said valves being opened and closed solely by the movement of said cleaner element.

14. In a boiler soot cleaner, a cleaner ele ment rotatable upon its own axis and having its inner end adapted to extend Within the boiler, a steam chamber into Which the outer end extends, a plurality of valves formed separately from the steam chamber and seats for said valves, said valves and seats controlling the passage of steam to said cleaner element, said valves being opened and closed solely by the movement of said cleaner element, and said valves being angularly separated a distance Which will permit in one position of the cleaner element one valve to be substantially opened While the other valve is substantially closed, both said valves opening to the same chamber in said element.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

FREDERICK W. LINAKER. 

